Mr. Mark Kenny:

My name is Mark Kenny. I am 21 years old and I am autistic. I live in Dublin 15 with my parents, my sister, Aisling, and my brother, Shane. I was diagnosed as autistic when I was four years old. I went to an autism class in junior school and transitioned to mainstream after 14 months. I was happy in mainstream and had access to a special needs assistant, SNA, who helped me in school every day. Secondary school was my favourite. I had six great years there, with a shared SNA every day. The school put different supports in place for me that helped me to navigate my way around each day, cope with transitioning between classes and do school work. I did the leaving certificate applied examinations, which were great for me as they took off the pressure associated with sitting the leaving certificate exams. During my fifth year, I had to look for work experience. Owing to my love of movies and with the help of my tutor, I approached the ODEON cinema for work experience. It gave me the hours that I needed each week. After a month there, I was offered a Saturday job working a six-hour shift. I was really happy with that. Now, over four years later, I am still working there and am a valued member of the team. I feel really accepted in the ODEON by the staff and management. I love going to work there every Saturday. I was excited leaving secondary school. A new chapter was waiting for me.

I started a course in a post-leaving certificate, PLC, college to study computer systems and networks. The college said I could do the one-year course over two years, which was great. This year, I am doing a course called Business in Tourism, which I am enjoying. I have a reduced timetable and am going to college three days per week. There is a learning support hub there that I call into most days. I feel really supported in the PLC college. I am linked to Gheel Autism Services and have a support worker called Tara whom I meet twice a week when I am not in college. Tara helps me to become more independent. I am more confident now. I love to go on the bus by myself to college, to my job and to meet Tara.

My mother and her friend Rosaleen both set up a club called Little Seeds Arch Club nearly ten years ago for children and teens with autism in Dublin 15. We meet Mondays and Thursdays and do many different activities, such as basketball, fun and fitness classes, bowling, learning to cook, learning to shop and going to restaurants. I love going to my club each week. At Little Seeds, I can be myself. I have made many friends there over the years. After college, I hope to get a job. Hopefully I will have more hours in the ODEON cinema and maybe a job in computers. Autistic people can achieve their dreams and be successful in life if they are understood, supported and accepted by society. My future is bright.